James O’Reilly spoke to top restaurant and finance executives about the company’s strongly improving operations and sales
Long John Silver’s, America’s favorite seafood restaurant, Chief Executive Officer James O’Reilly, spoke yesterday at the Franchise Times Finance & Growth Conference in Las Vegas. O’Reilly presented to lenders, investors, potential franchises and more than 50 successful franchise companies on the revitalization of the venerated seafood brand. In his remarks, O’Reilly reviewed dramatic improvements in operations that have driven a nearly unbroken 16-month stretch of same store sales increases.
O’Reilly was recently featured on the cover of Louisville Business First as “The Turn Around Man,” and is credited by the publication for building a strong team of experienced leaders who have breathed new energy in the Long John Silver’s brand. O’Reilly was named CEO in 2015.
The brand has seen dramatically improved brand favorability among consumers across the board. According to a recent study, one year ago the Long John Silver’s concept was ranked 12th of 21 quick service restaurant brands. LJS is currently ranked 8th out of 25 quick service concepts.
O’Reilly also unveiled an upgraded redesign package for existing restaurants that is cost efficient and drives sales. In the two locations where the redesign has been implemented (La Vale, Md., and Morgantown, W.Va.), double digit sales gains have been sustained.
The seafood chain is currently enjoying its traditional busy season during which the company expects to sell more than 30 million pieces of seafood to its customers— Lent. New for the 2017 Lenten season, the brand launched Beer Battered Alaskan Cod. The Beer Batter marks the first time in its history the brand has offered more than one batter option for its customers and two batter options in tandem.
Long John Silver’s is a classic American brand founded in 1969, and stands today as the nation’s largest quick-service seafood chain with nearly 1,000 franchised restaurants nation-wide. Long John Silver’s is famous for its pure, wild-caught Alaskan whitefish hand-dipped in their signature batter and lightly fried to golden perfection. Learn more at www.ljsilvers.com or join the conversation via social media on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
